Indeed it's long been something of a mystery of British Folk Music, that those who gain 'fame' seem to be resented or seen as no longer true to the Folk tradition. Numerous examples, some you've mentioned, one that always comes to mind is an outfit called Fiddlers Dram, must be best part of 30 years+ ago the had a surprise big hit with the song, day Trip to Bangor. Only days previously they'd been quite a popular booking on the club scene, after the chart success they were barely mentioned or heard of again.

It does seem to be almost peculiar to the British scene too. Back home in Ireland trad acts that go from locally popular to international fame, Dubliners, Christy Moore ,and Co, become revered and very much placed on a pedestol and honoured in all sorts of ways. Here? They're treated almost like traitors. Is it jealousy, resentment, snobbery? or just the British way?